University of Nottingham and Leicestershire County Council Co-creation Symposium 2025

Dr Rachel Connor, AHRC Creative Communities Senior Research Fellow presented programme learning at the ‘Co-creation in the Arts, Culture and Heritage in Local Authority Partnerships in Place‘ symposium hosted by the University of Nottingham with Leicestershire County Council.

Rachel shared experiential insights into the co-creation models developed by the Community Innovation Practitioner Awards and reflected on the opportunities and challenges of co-creation and partnership research.

Key insights and reflections related to the power of communities and the importance of an assets-based approach. Placing culture at the centre of co-creation can be complex—and yet it makes for a rich and diverse way to bring communities together.

The event brought together speakers representing perspectives from funders, local authorities, charities, arts and cultural organisations, higher education, and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) stakeholders in places to provide expert insights into the co-creation approaches needed for successful place-based research partnerships.

Other speakers included:

  • Sara Harrison – Senior Manager, Engagement and Communities, Arts Council England
  • Kate Parkin – Senior Officer, Peer Learning Programme, Place-Based and Creative Ageing, Arts Council England
  • Salla Virman – Head of Culture and Creative Economy, Coventry City Council
  • Isobel Hunter – Chief Executive, Libraries Connected
  • Kim Wide – Co-CEO and Artistic Director, Take A Part, Plymouth
  • Jayne Knight –Arts Development Manager, Suffolk County Council

More information about Dr Rachel Connor’s research and about the AHRC Creative Communities programme is available across our website. 

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